Sebastian Vettel’s ‘fairytale’ debut with Ferrari

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has described his first experience of Ferrari as a ‘fairytale’ after completing a four-day test session with the Maranello-based team.

With his Red Bull Racing contract expired, Vettel immediately got to grips in representing Forza Ferrari.

Having arrived at the Ferrari factory on Friday (November 28), Vettel drove the F2012 at Fiorano on Saturday (November 29), spent a whole day in the simulator on Sunday (November 30) and then met senior team figures including Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, team boss Maurizio Arrivabene and technical chief James Allison for meetings on Monday (December 1).

Speaking after his first run in the F2012 which features his chosen number 5 – Vettel confessed to feeling special emotions.

“There are a lot of fairytales about Ferrari and how it feels to drive a red car,” said Vettel, who ran with a white helmet.

“In the end I can only confirm these fairytales.

“It’s not just a story; it’s a true legend that exists.

“And it feels really, really special to become part of that and to be inside the car, to see the people coming, running to the track and trying to climb the walls to see the car.

“There is definitely something very magical and something that happened today which I will never forget.”

Vettel said his first taste of driving at Fiorano also reminded him of visits he made to Maranello as a kid – when he hoped to catch a glimpse of then hero Michael Schumacher.

“I remember I was here a long, long time ago as a little child, driving through Maranello and trying to look over the fence,” he said.

“So to be here officially as part of the team, it felt fantastic to have the possibility to drive the car, and get to know the team. It was a unique experience.

“Obviously it’s a very different colour for me. Everybody is dressed in red, everything is red, but it’s really something special and I’m very much looking forward to the challenge that we took on for the next years.”